Australian Defence Force and local rugby teams face off to honour soldier Matthew Locke's legacy

A charity rugby competition pitting hometown teams against the elite members of the Australian Defence Force has paid tribute to fallen soldier Sergeant Matthew Locke.

As a young boy, Sergeant Locke was a regular junior player at his local oval in Bellingen, on the New South Wales Mid North Coast, and last night family, friends and fellow soldiers turned out to that very spot to pay their respects.

"I remember one time us being out in the middle of the ocean in small rubber boats and it was getting a bit too serious, and he was able to use his humour to calm everyone down and keep them on track and focus about what needed to be done, said Victoria Cross recipient Corporal Mark Donaldson.

"That's what I think of when I remember him."

Sergeant Locke toured East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq, and in 2006 for his bravery he was awarded one of the military's highest honours, the Medal for Gallantry.

But tragically the following year, at the age of 33, he died in combat while serving in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province.

East Timor part of growing legacy, family says

In memory of his death, last night's annual rugby competition saw the Australian Defence Force face off against the top local teams from Bellingen and surrounding areas.

But Sergeant Locke's memory has spread farther than his home town, with a portion of the money raised going to supporting several kindergartens in East Timor which have been set up in his name by his sister Debbie.

"He wanted to do something like this and didn't quite get the opportunity and I guess this is our way of doing it for him," she said.

"He got to travel to countries that were struggling at different times [and that] got him to see that we were incredibly lucky here.

"When you live in a place and you have all this opportunity and you have the ability to spread that around, that's what you do. That's your gift to the world."

'Fine soldier': NSW Governor pays his respects

NSW Governor David Hurley was lending his support amongst the local spectators before he helped lead the military ceremony to remember Australian service personnel who have died representing Australia during combat.

"Whenever the Government determines you need to commit the armed forces they need the community behind them, I think today is a perfect example of how the two come together — to have sport to have fun and also for commemoration and then to do the fundraising to give back," he said.

And with a moment's silence falling across the crowd, it was time for the main event to begin with the two best sides making their way onto the pitch.

There was no mistaking it: the Bellingen Magpies were the hometown favourites, but they were also up against a formidable opposition in Army Thunder — the Australian Defence Force's first side.

Despite a valiant effort, the visitors came off best, with the Thunder edging out the Magpies 24 points to 20.

But for the community it wasn't really about winning or losing, it was about coming together to remember a much-loved member of the community and celebrating the ongoing effort to grow his legacy.